Report finds al Nusrah Front more dangerous than ISIL
The conservative Institute for the Study of War and American Enterprise Institute have issued a report calling the al Nusrah Front, the al Qaeda affiliate in Syria, a greater threat than ISIS and an “existential threat” to the US. Neither group is an existential threat to the US and it is ridiculous to call either one that. However, the groups are correct in deeming al Nusrah a danger. It has been often ignored as observers focus on ISIL. Indeed, some powers in the region believe they can moderate it.
US defense chief criticizes Middle Eastern allies
Sec of Defense Ashton Carter has noted the dearth of help from major regional powers in the ISIL War. It is shameful that countries that have so many men and women in uniform and that spend so much money on defense cannot deal with approximately 30,000 lightly armed troops.
Tajikistan warns of its people’s presence in ISIL
The Central Asian country of Tajikistan has upped an estimate of its people’s presence in ISIL forces. “Up to 1000” is their recent estimate. Of course, the term “up to” implies great uncertainty. However, Central Asia is rent by political and ethnic conflict which may open the door to the lawlessness that ISIL and similar groups thrive on. Russia considers the region as its near abroad and is mindful of the rise of Islamist militancy there. Tajikistan bears watching.